HOW TO COPE WITH SIDE EFFECTS!

Posted , 4 users are following.

Antidepressants can cause unpleasant side effects. Such as nervousness, headache and upset stomach, just to name a few, these will improve within a few weeks, stick with it.

If side effects seem to much you may be tempted to stop taking your meds.. DON'T DO IT! Try to persevere as things will improve and you'll be on the way to feeling much better.

SIDE EFFECTS AND HOW TO COPE:

Nausea:

Nausea can start within a week but as your body adjusts to the med it will stop.

Coping:

Take your meds with food, unless told not too.

Eat much smaller meals more frequently.

Suck boiled sweets, sugarless are better!

Drink plenty of water.

Try an antacid.

Sexual side effects:

Most SSRI's cause sexual side effects. They can include decreased sex drive and difficulty reaching orgasm.

Coping:

Talk to your doctor about a "drug holiday" - stopping medication for a day or so each week.

For men Viagra may help.

For women, estrogen cream may help.

Fatigue/Drowsiness:

Fatigue and drowsiness are very common during the first few weeks.

Coping:

Try to get some sleep during the day.

Get some exercise like walking.

Avoid driving if drowsy.

Take your meds 1 or 2 hours before bedtime.

Insomnia:

You may get insomnia because some meds give you an energy boost. It can also make it difficult to get to sleep or stay asleep - and you may be tired during the day.

Coping:

Take your meds in the morning.

Avoid caffeinated drinks, particularly during the evening.

Exercise - but complete them a few hours before bedtime.

Ask your doctor for a sedating medication.

Dry mouth:

Dry mouth is a common side effect of many antidepressants.

Coping:

Sip water regularly or suck on ice cubes.

Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless hard sweets.

Avoid caffeine.

Breathe through your nose, not your mouth.

Blurred vision:

Blurred vision is common but it usually goes away within a couple of weeks.

Coping:

Ask your doctor about special eye drops.

Get an eye exam to see whether blurred vision caused by your meds may be worsened by an underlying eye problem.

Dizziness:

Dizziness is a common side effect.

Coping:

Get up slowly from sitting or standing positions.

Use handrails and sturdy items for support.

Avoid caffeine, tobacco and alcohol.

Drink plenty of water

Take your meds at bedtime.

Agitation/restlessness/anxiety:

Agitation, restlessness or anxiety can result from the stimulating effect. With more energy it may mean you can't relax or sit still even if you want to.

Coping:

Regular exercise, such as jogging, biking, aerobics, or walking.

Deep-breathing exercises, muscle relaxation or yoga.

Ask your doctor about taking a relaxing or sedating medication.

Hope some of this helps and although the side effects can be unpleasant be assured the end result is a much happier you 😃

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Blu02,

    May I ask which medication your taking?

    • Posted

      I'm currently taking paxil but was looking into sertraline because I can't take paxil while pregnant. I once took Prozac and it worked great but when I tried to go back on it my mind was racing and I had brain zaps with jaw tension rolleyes I really would like to go back on it and they gave me a prescription to switch over but I've been to scared to try it. They think it might have been to high of a dose and my body remembered the drug. Have you ever stopped and restarted with different side effects?
    • Posted

      I was on Lustral a couple of years ago but not for long. When I went back on Sertraline the doctor gave me a generic and the side effects were pretty bad but that may have been due to my circumstances and not the med.

      With your Prozac you can but try or you'll never know... have you thought about trying a smaller dose to start?

    • Posted

      Yea I wasn't only on Prozac for 3 months for a traumatic miscarriage and I was cured and I've been off it a year and half. When I tried to go back on the Prozac I had a bad anxiety attack 2 days prior so it could be from that also. That's what they want me to do is start a super low dose. When I took it before I was only on 10mg I'm sensitive to meds. Right now I only take 5mg of paxil so they said to try and cut it in fours for a week then up if needed.
    • Posted

      Will it be ok to do a straight switch from Paxil to Prozac? You don't want additional problems!
    • Posted

      She said it was fine but if I wanted to then I could take the 5 mg of paxil and add 2.5 of Prozac for a week then stop paxil. I'm just scared to change. I would rather not take anything while pregnant. Paxil has a short half life and is out of your system in a day whereas Prozac has a long half life
  • Posted

    Forgot headache:

    This can be caused through dehydration, drink plenty of water.... little and often can be better.

  • Posted

    My sex drive went over a year. I have forgotten what having that is like. Will I ever get my sex drive back. I am coming off diazepams after 10 years. And I have to take sertreline 150mg in the morning and evening 40mg amitripytline
    • Posted

      Your sex drive will come back.  Mine's been off and on over the years with depression and meds, but I'm 57, I've just had both ovaries removed, and post menopausal by some years, depressed again, but the old sex drive is bubbling away!  Yay!!!cheesygrin
  • Posted

    This is so so helpful thank you!

    I'm feeling really overwhelmed since being on these and crying over ridiculous things, I think maybe looking into yoga or breathing excersises might help thank you!

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